Bridgestone reveals large tire difference for Germany
After extreme degradation and graining was credited for spicing up the recent Canadian grand prix, many paddock regulars suggested that it is the sport's approach to tires that that should be targeted for producing more exciting races.
F1's sole tire supplier announced on Monday that for the Hockenheim round late next month, the compounds on offer will be vastly different.
Both supplied compounds must be used at least once during grands prix, and in Germany, they will be the Montreal-spec 'super soft' as well as Bridgestone's hardest tire.
It is the first time there have been two hardness steps between the supplied compounds.
"The characteristics of the Hockenheim circuit allow us to bring the compounds from the extremes of our softness range," confirmed head of development Hirohide Hamashima.
"This will give us very good data for evaluation and will be interesting for those who have called for a bigger difference between the allocated tires."
He explained that a similar approach was not possible for the subsequent Hungarian, Belgian, Italian and Singapore rounds.
"The Hungaroring requires a softer allocation as finding grip is always a target there. Spa and Monza are high speed tests for cars and tires, needing a harder allocation because of the heat durability requirements.
"Singapore is a high-speed street course where the softer allocation is suited," said Hamashima.
Bridgestone said the compound allocation for the final five rounds of 2010 will be made later in the year.
Bridgestone's four Slick compounds are the following:
Super Soft, Soft, Medium and Hard
Tire compounds for Rounds 1-15:
Bahrain Super Soft and Medium
Australia Soft and Hard
Malaysia Soft and Hard
China Soft and Hard
Spain Soft and Hard
Monaco Super Soft and Medium
Turkey Soft and Hard
Canada Super Soft and Medium
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Europe Super Soft and Medium
Great Britain Soft and Hard
Germany Super Soft and Hard
Hungary Super Soft and Medium
Belgium Soft and Hard
Italy Soft and Hard
Singapore Super Soft and Medium